In 1385 Oct 21, Edwardo Dalyngrigge (Edward Dallingridge) was granted, by Richard II, (In year 9 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Bodyham (Bodiam Castle)

"Rex omnibus ad quos etc. salutem. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali concessimus et licentiam dedimus, quantum in nobis est, dilecto et fideli nostro Edwardo dalyngrigge chivaler, quod ipse mansum manerii sui Bodyham, juxta mare in comitatu Sussex, muro de petra et calce firmare et kernellare, et castrum inde in defensionem patriae adjacentis et pro resistencia inimicorum nostrorum construere et facere, et mansum predictum sic firmatum et Kernellatum et castrum inde sic factum tenere possit sibi et heredibus suis in perpetuum, sine impedimento nostri et heredum nostrorum aut ministrorum nostrorum quoruncunque. In cujus rei testimonium, Rex apud Westmonast. xx die Octobris
The King to all men to whom etc. greeting. Know that our special grace we have granted and given licence on behalf of ourselves and or heirs, so far as in us lies, to our beloved and faithful Edward Dalyngrigge Knight, that he may strengthen with a wall of stone and lime, and crenellate and may construct and make into a Castle his manor house of Bodyham, near the sea, in the County of Sussex, for the defence of the adjacent country, and the resistance to our enemies, and may hold his aforesaid house so strengthened and crenellated and made into a Castle for himself and his heirs for ever, without let or hindrance of ourselves or our heirs, or of any of our agents whatsoever. In witness of which etc. The King at Westminster 20 October"

Granted at Westminster, by privy seal.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1385-89) p42, 123

(In fact, the original source given is usually a transcription/translation of what are precious medieval documents not readily availably. It should be noted that these transcription/translations often date to the nineteenth or early twentieth centuries and that unwitting bias of transcribers may affect the translation. Care should also be taken to avoid giving modern meaning to the medieval use of certain stock words and terms.)

Significant later source are;

• Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol3 (Cambridge) p440
  Thackray, David, 1991, Bodiam Castle (National Trust)
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p477n8
  Blaauw, William Henry, 1861, ' Royal Licenses to Fortify Towns and Houses in Sussex' Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol13 p114
  Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p312, 419

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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